No, you do not have to be convicted to be a criminal. You are a criminal even if you do not get caught committing the crime. A felon is a criminal. You are wrong regarding a felon being a person with a sentence over one year. Each state is different regarding sentencing. Just as grand larceny is different in each state. Some states, grand larceny is theft over $500 and some states it has to be a grand. A felon is a person that commits a felony. It does not require a sentence or a conviction to to be a felon. I you commit adultery, you are an adulterer whether or not you are convicted of it.

Hillary is a felon, a liar, and a thief. And whether or not you agree with the felon part, she stole thousands of dollars of property from the White House when she left and had to pay restitution for the theft.

When the FBI and IRS get done with her, IF this administration does not pardon her, she will be a convicted felon.